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India Celebrates Maha Shivaratri

Monday, Feb. 20, is a public holiday in India for Maha Shivaratri. This Hindu festival is celebrated by Shiva devotees as the day of Lord Shiva’s marriage to Parvati. It is also believed that on the night of Shivaratri, Lord Shiva performed the “Tandava ,” a cosmic dance of creation, destruction and preservation.

On this day, Hindu devotees visit temples and offer prayers with much fervor and celebrations, after a day of fasting. Holy men and devotees also rush to major Shiva temples. Women also offer prayers to Parvati to ask for marital bliss.